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An underground characterization program for a nuclear fuel waste disposal vault in plutonic rock

Conference ·
OSTI ID:100831
;  [1]
  1. AECL Research, Pinawa, Manitoba (Canada). Whiteshell Labs.

The Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program (CNFWMP) is developing a concept for disposing of nuclear fuel waste that involves placing and sealing it in a disposal vault excavated 500 to 1,000 m deep in the stable plutonic rock of the Canadian Shield. In this concept, engineered and natural barriers serve to isolate the waste from the biosphere. Since 1983, underground characterization and testing in support of the CNFWMP has been ongoing at the Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in southeastern Manitoba. This paper draws on experience gained at the URL to recommend an approach to underground characterization that would provide the necessary information to make design decisions for a disposal vault in plutonic rock.

OSTI ID:
100831
Report Number(s):
CONF-930906--; ISBN 0-7918-0691-X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English